Chapter 199 Sneaking Around, a Little Bit Interesting
Ji Qingwu clutched her chest, startled by the sudden appearance of the person.
Prince Yong never imagined that the person who was having an affair with the emperor inside would be Ji Qingwu.
He pretended to leave, then returned, wanting to know who dared to bite his elder brother.
The two looked at each other in bewilderment.
Prince Yong's expression shifted from shock to understanding, but then became tinged with deep confusion.
Since the Emperor likes his fifth cousin, why not just bring her into the harem?
Recently, there have been constant upheavals in the imperial court, several of which were caused by Ji Qingwu.
Was it out of fear of damaging the relationship between ruler and subject with Wei Ting? Or...?
Prince Yong's gaze turned lewd again. Could it be that he found this sneaky behavior rather amusing?
Seeing Yongwang's expression, Ji Qingwu's face turned red and then white.
This man is truly hateful and incredibly cunning. After the emperor left, he deliberately circled back and waited for her to come out right at the entrance.
Suppressing his emotions, Ji Qingwu said, "Greetings, Prince Yong."
After saying that, he prepared to leave.
Prince Yong snapped out of his reverie and called out from behind her, "Fifth Cousin, wait, wait!"
Ji Qingwu did not stop walking. He looked ahead and took bigger steps, saying, "I have nothing to say to the prince."
Since things have come to this point, and Prince Yong knows that she was the one who was with the Emperor just now, no matter how she explains, it will be of no use. Let him think what he wants.
Prince Yong quickened his pace, circled around to her, and said, "I have something to discuss with you."
After entering the palace, he went to the entrance of Anle Hall as usual, and then went to the Empress Dowager's place. He learned that Ji Qingwu was also in the palace and was in the Imperial Garden, so he found an excuse to follow her.
Stopped by Prince Yong, Ji Qingwu had no choice but to halt.
"Your Highness, even a nobleman like yourself can't solve this problem. How can I, a weak woman who depends on the Ji family for survival, possibly be of any help? Your Highness is too kind."
Prince Yong understood the sarcasm in those words.
He didn't retort or question her. Putting aside the fact that he already knew about her relationship with Emperor Wusu, he didn't dare to show any dissatisfaction because of what he was currently seeking.
Prince Yong smiled and said, "Fifth Cousin, we are of the same lineage and clan. There's no question of relying on each other. Helping each other is only natural."
Ji Qingwu frowned upon hearing these high-sounding, polite words.
They have a history of grudges, so they can't be expected to help each other.
He made a lewd advance on her, and she retaliated with drugs, which led to the Princess Consort of Yong being imprisoned in the palace by imperial decree.
Since this was in private and there were no outsiders present, Ji Qingwu decided to speak frankly.
"Your Highness is busy with many things and may not remember what happened on the dragon boat a month ago, but I have always remembered it. Whenever I think of it, I feel nauseous."
She exposed Prince Yong's attempt to cover up the truth.
He said sheepishly, "If I had known earlier that you and my elder brother were..."
Ji Qingwu glared at him and interrupted fiercely, "What is it?!"
Prince Yong felt guilty under her glare and said, "It's nothing, Fifth Cousin. Think about it carefully. What does this have to do with me? It's Ji Changyan who's not clear-headed. He thought that by drugging you and sending you here, he could cover up his assassination attempt on the Imperial Censor."
Ji Qingwu felt a wave of fear when he recalled what happened that day.
That medicine was no ordinary substance; if she wasn't careful, she could lose her life on the dragon boat.
She said calmly, "Ji Changyan is in cahoots with you. If you didn't mean it, why would he do this?"
Prince Yong feigned ignorance and innocently said, "But nothing happened that night."
Ji Qingwu met his gaze and said, "If something really happens, it will be too late. The prince and I have nothing to say to each other."
Suddenly, Prince Yong understood everything. Why did the Jade Pavilion, which he controlled, happen to have an accident that night, causing him to be transferred away when he was about to do something intimate...
The reason why Yu Cui Lou was besieged by Li Chengxun's troops was because the person behind it was his scheming elder brother, the emperor.
Prince Yong's forehead began to bead with cold sweat. He was incredibly relieved that nothing had happened that night.
He pressed further, "How can I appease my fifth cousin's anger? I am willing to make amends."
Ji Qingwu said coldly, "No need. I would be more than happy if Your Highness appeared in front of me less often."
Prince Yong said almost pleadingly, "I will agree to all of Fifth Cousin's conditions. As long as you help me one more time, I will stay far away from you from now on."
Ji Qingwu curled her lips into a mocking smile, "Even the Prince's extraordinary abilities couldn't achieve this, how could I..."
She paused, looking at the person who had suddenly knelt before her, her eyes flickering with a mixture of light and shadow.
This was the first time she had ever seen Prince Yong so listless, his face ashen and lifeless as a withered tree.
He slumped his head in despair: "The only one who can save Wanyin is you."
Ji Qingwu frowned, a hint of helplessness in his voice: "It was His Majesty's idea to confine the Princess to Anle Hall, and there's nothing I can do to change it."
Prince Yong raised his head. It is said that men do not easily shed tears, but his eyes were already red and filled with the panic and anxiety that had accumulated over many days.
The situation is getting worse, not only because the Tao family is in danger of being wiped out, but also because Tao Wanyin's health is deteriorating day by day.
Prince Yong said in a low voice, "Wanyin fainted once after learning that Grand Secretary Tao had been dragged out of court and imprisoned."
Ji Qingwu's eyes showed surprise. She had thought the court was peaceful because Emperor Wusu was in a good mood today, but such a big event had happened.
Princess Yong's feelings upon learning that her father had been imprisoned.
Ji Qingwu was able to put himself in others' shoes.
However, their situations were quite different. Firstly, she had never met Gilbert and did not have a deep relationship with him and his father.
Secondly, Ji's father was innocently implicated, and she received a message from the emperor that day, knowing that her father was not in any serious danger.
Last time at the Lotus Pavilion, Emperor Wusu mentioned to her that one of the big fish in the court was the Tao family.
It hasn't been long since the emperor closed the net so quickly. The once glorious Tao family is about to decline, and even their relatives will be implicated.
Ji Qingwu finally understood why Prince Yong had made such an earnest request.
He asked, "Do you want me to protect Princess Yong?"
Prince Yong nodded, then shook his head: "Titles and status don't matter. What's important now is to save her life."
Ji Qingwu pondered for a moment and said, "The Princess Consort is carrying the royal child; His Majesty would not be so heartless."
Prince Yong said with a worried look, "But now, Wanyin's pregnancy is extremely unstable. Every day, the medical reports that come out make me anxious."
Seeing that Ji Qingwu remained silent, Prince Yong, still kneeling, reached out to hug her legs.
She quickly jumped into the nearby bushes, and he missed.
Ji Qingwu touched his chest with lingering fear and said with disgust, "Let's talk this out. Don't hit me. I feel nauseous."
Upon hearing this, Prince Yong's face was filled with despair.
Then, the sound of a woman rolling pearls across a jade plate rang out again.
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